I just returned from Helsinki and ate at two restaurants reviewed here. Inari was simply fabulous. Each dish was an unexpected combination of ingredients. As described, I would have never ordered any item off the menu, but as they tasted, each was terrific. I also ate at Andrea. I had two mezze and the octopus. I enjoyed the muhammara the most followed by the octopus. I would return to both restaurants, but first to Inari.
We just went to Inari and it is GREAT. Delicious food that resonates with local finnish ingredients with korean references. They menu changes often, so go often and be delighted. Kim and Evelyn are generous people, and suggest other places to eat in Helsinki, both traditional and new. Johan the host is impeccable, full stop. The setting is intimate with no extraneous flourishes - it's all about the food.
PS - get the wine pairing. It is well worth it for all of the surprises.
Or just move to Italy.
@theresa Or just refrain from making needlessly sour comments on things you don't have to read and aren't required to like.
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"Turkish dishes made with Finnish ingredients" ?! -- Why not Finnish dishes with Turkish ingredients too?
It is difficult to think that Nordic countries are centers of haute cuisine because of the harshness of climate affecting agriculture, game, and fisheries.
I agree. Maemo and KS are exemplary Nordic cuisine restaurants in Oslo. They are superb.
I have to disagree with the central premise of this article: that the Finn and Helsinki food scene has lagged behind its other Nordic counterparts.
And how could you skip Olo???
They were doing nouveau Nordic food before most people had even heard of Noma. They were just doing it more quietly. I still remember the first time I ate there in 2010. The food was a revelation and still ranks among one of my most memorable meals.
I’m glad to see Helsinki getting the recognition it deserves but I think it’s important to remember that there has been plenty to love about its food, architecture and art scene long before this latest crop of flashy buildings and restaurants.
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